Church to purchase Neshobe Sportsman Club property

LifeBridge Christian Church is in the process of purchasing the Neshobe Sportsman Club property, two miles east of Brandon just off of Route 73, according to Rev. Roger Foster. The church is in a rental agreement with the club until the sale closes, he said. The first worship service at the location was held on June 2. (Neshobe Sportsman Club photo)

LifeBridge Christian Church is in the process of purchasing the Neshobe Sportsman Club property, two miles east of Brandon just off of Route 73, according to Rev. Roger Foster.

The church is in a rental agreement with the club until the sale closes, he said. The first worship service at the location was held on June 2.

"The Sportsman Club location seems to have been tailor-made for the style of service and educational programs preferred by LifeBridge. Large but secured open areas in what used to be the dining hall give ample room for the high energy and interactive children's program. Because the space is designed to be flexible it quickly transitions into an inviting mixing area. The dance hall has been reset with a muted lighting, twin 85 inch high-def projection screens and a tuned sound system," according to Foster.

The clamshell seating is designed to help those present feel connected to what is happening on stage.

"The Neshobe Sportsman Club wanted the property to be in the care of someone who would continue to make the property available to the local community. They were specifically concerned that the Vermont Hunter Safety Course and efforts to support local school projects would still have a venue," Foster noted in a news release June 3.

LifeBridge expressed its long-standing desire to have a facility that was useful in service to the local community. The hope is to preserve/develop an environment that could serve multiple roles in the community.

"Suggestions have included everything from hosting simulcast training for leadership, financial management, parenting, etc. to hosting business conferences, community based service efforts, fundraisers, receptions and family gatherings," according to Foster. "In light of those values being discussed and shared by the two non-profit organizations the Neshobe Sportsman Club accepted the LifeBridge offer to purchase the building."

LifeBridge had been meeting at the Leicester Church of the Nazarene since November of 2011.

The Nazarene church approached LifeBridge in the fall of that year, when they realized the difficulty LifeBridge was having finding a location that was both functional and affordable.

"Sharing the church facility meant a very early 8 a.m service for LifeBridge," Foster noted. "The new service time in the new location is 9:30 a.m. Families with young children have expressed great relief at the later start time."

Directions and information about the building will be updated regularly at www.lbccvt.com and on the LifeBridge Facebook page.